Lgbt Community

In his letter "Fighting For Rights Isn't Intimidation" [March 26], writer James Dempsey either fails to recognize, or perhaps ignores, the fact that carrying a weapon in open sight in public, even during a rally, is a show of power that is an intimidating act. He ponders whether gatherings of the LGBT community, African Americans or women would be just as intimidating. The answer is no. Unless, of course, they were openly brandishing weapons. Responsible gun owners claim that they are merely trying to protect their rights and not trying to bully anyone.

AARP Connecticut is sponsoring a free screening of the landmark film, Gen Silent, on Monday, June 16 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Avon Senior and Community Center, 635 West Avon Road, Avon. Gen Silent shares the stories of LGBT older adults in Greater Boston dealing with the challenges and hopes of growing older. Since 2010, this landmark movie has inspired a world-wide movement of LGBT and aging advocates to create safe and welcoming experiences for older adults and caregivers in the community.

Nancy Loader, The First Congregational Church in Essex and Essex, July 21, 2013

The Open and Affirming Committee of The First Congregational Church in Essex, UCC is pleased to announce that Devon Bakoledis, a recent graduate of Valley Regional High School and resident of Ivoryton, has been selected to receive the church's $1,000 Anti-Bullying Scholarship. The award was presented at a special worship service at the church on July 14. The committee chose Devon for her demonstrated efforts to provide peer support, teach and advocate for improved school climate and safety for the LGBT community.

Regarding the letter "Sees Bullying In Gun Rights Rally" [March 25]: People who publicly support the constitutional right to firearms ownership are now equivalent to the KKK? If anything, the governor's office and the legislature threatening people with arrest for exercising their civil right is more like activity the KKK would carry out. Because the majority of people support background checks and bans we should enact these laws? The majority of people supported slavery at one point in this nation, they did not support equal rights for women or the LGBT community, and they thought it was OK to burn witches.

By VICTORIA STEARNS | FRESH TALK and The Hartford Courant, January 28, 2014

I am a member of the LGBT community. I am a member of the most invisible letter in LGBT. That would be the B. That B, for those of you who don't know, stands for bisexual. Bisexuals are people who feel attraction toward both males and females, although most have a preference for one gender over the other. I, for example, have a preference for men. According to a brochure on bisexuality produced by Ohio University, at the highest estimate, 46 percent of men and 33 percent of women engaged in some spectrum of bisexual behavior.

The excitement is building as the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective's "One Big Event" is fast approaching. Saturday, Oct. 26, is the night that everyone's looking forward to. Connecticut's LGBT community will be out in force, looking fierce and ready for a fantastic night. The Connecticut Convention Center is the place to be. The cocktails start flowing at 6 p.m. and after that, who knows what could happen? It would be a shame to miss something this exceptional because you forgot to buy your ticket.

When Mayor Pedro Segarra took office in June, he had a long list of things he hoped to accomplish. Being honored along with celebrities like pop singer Ricky Martin and actor Nathan Lane wasn't one of them. But that's what happened when Out magazine named the mayor as one of 2010's "most compelling people" for his accomplishments as a role model for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. About a month ago, Segarra traveled to New York City to be part of a star-studded photo shoot for Out. Today, he will be there again for a social gathering with the honorees.

I know little about Phil Robertson or "Duck Dynasty," but this is controversy where there isn't any. So, he says homosexuality is a sin and wrong? Within the tenets of his faith, this is true. This same faith, while not always practiced correctly, is built on the idea that all people are sinners. I'm aware that his tone was very inflammatory, but Mr. Robertson is a professional provocateur. We encourage him to act that way. If you look past his tone, he said is that people in the LGBT community are just like everyone else.

Regarding the letter "Sees Bullying In Gun Rights Rally" [March 25]: People who publicly support the constitutional right to firearms ownership are now equivalent to the KKK? If anything, the governor's office and the legislature threatening people with arrest for exercising their civil right is more like activity the KKK would carry out. Because the majority of people support background checks and bans we should enact these laws? The majority of people supported slavery at one point in this nation, they did not support equal rights for women or the LGBT community, and they thought it was OK to burn witches.

I just read the article on five years of same-sex marriage [Nov. 12, news, "Same-Sex Marriage By The Numbers"]. I often think about my years in college and rallying at the state Capitol and in Washington for marriage equality. Recently, I asked my wife if she still feels as though people judge us as a couple. We've been together for 13 years and were civilly unioned before marriage was an option. We perceive less glares and more acceptance since society has become more accepting in Connecticut.

In his letter "Fighting For Rights Isn't Intimidation" [March 26], writer James Dempsey either fails to recognize, or perhaps ignores, the fact that carrying a weapon in open sight in public, even during a rally, is a show of power that is an intimidating act. He ponders whether gatherings of the LGBT community, African Americans or women would be just as intimidating. The answer is no. Unless, of course, they were openly brandishing weapons. Responsible gun owners claim that they are merely trying to protect their rights and not trying to bully anyone.

Regarding the letter "Sees Bullying In Gun Rights Rally" [March 25]: Where is the intimidation? Is it exercising one's right to carry a firearm? Is it in organizing to protect that right? If there is intimidation, it would by people like the letter writer equating rallying for one's rights to racial prejudice and voter suppression. Wouldn't the LGBT community be guilty of intimidation by organizing and protesting for equal rights? How about African Americans organizing for equal rights?

By PAUL DOYLE, pdoyle@courant.com and The Hartford Courant, January 30, 2014

Four years after his death, Brendan Burke's legacy is very much alive. Burke, son of former Whalers general manager Brian Burke, died in a car accident Feb. 5, 2010. Just months earlier, Burke came out as gay to members of the Miami (Ohio) hockey team. Burke was a student manager for the team and close friends with the players. He had come out to his family a few years earlier, but coming out to his classmates and friends in the hockey community was different and seemingly risky given the level of homophobia in the world of sports.

By VICTORIA STEARNS | FRESH TALK and The Hartford Courant, January 28, 2014

I am a member of the LGBT community. I am a member of the most invisible letter in LGBT. That would be the B. That B, for those of you who don't know, stands for bisexual. Bisexuals are people who feel attraction toward both males and females, although most have a preference for one gender over the other. I, for example, have a preference for men. According to a brochure on bisexuality produced by Ohio University, at the highest estimate, 46 percent of men and 33 percent of women engaged in some spectrum of bisexual behavior.

I know little about Phil Robertson or "Duck Dynasty," but this is controversy where there isn't any. So, he says homosexuality is a sin and wrong? Within the tenets of his faith, this is true. This same faith, while not always practiced correctly, is built on the idea that all people are sinners. I'm aware that his tone was very inflammatory, but Mr. Robertson is a professional provocateur. We encourage him to act that way. If you look past his tone, he said is that people in the LGBT community are just like everyone else.

I just read the article on five years of same-sex marriage [Nov. 12, news, "Same-Sex Marriage By The Numbers"]. I often think about my years in college and rallying at the state Capitol and in Washington for marriage equality. Recently, I asked my wife if she still feels as though people judge us as a couple. We've been together for 13 years and were civilly unioned before marriage was an option. We perceive less glares and more acceptance since society has become more accepting in Connecticut.

Regarding the letter "Sees Bullying In Gun Rights Rally" [March 25]: Where is the intimidation? Is it exercising one's right to carry a firearm? Is it in organizing to protect that right? If there is intimidation, it would by people like the letter writer equating rallying for one's rights to racial prejudice and voter suppression. Wouldn't the LGBT community be guilty of intimidation by organizing and protesting for equal rights? How about African Americans organizing for equal rights?

AARP Connecticut is sponsoring a free screening of the landmark film, Gen Silent, on Monday, June 16 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Avon Senior and Community Center, 635 West Avon Road, Avon. Gen Silent shares the stories of LGBT older adults in Greater Boston dealing with the challenges and hopes of growing older. Since 2010, this landmark movie has inspired a world-wide movement of LGBT and aging advocates to create safe and welcoming experiences for older adults and caregivers in the community.

The excitement is building as the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective's "One Big Event" is fast approaching. Saturday, Oct. 26, is the night that everyone's looking forward to. Connecticut's LGBT community will be out in force, looking fierce and ready for a fantastic night. The Connecticut Convention Center is the place to be. The cocktails start flowing at 6 p.m. and after that, who knows what could happen? It would be a shame to miss something this exceptional because you forgot to buy your ticket.

Nancy Loader, The First Congregational Church in Essex and Essex, July 21, 2013

The Open and Affirming Committee of The First Congregational Church in Essex, UCC is pleased to announce that Devon Bakoledis, a recent graduate of Valley Regional High School and resident of Ivoryton, has been selected to receive the church's $1,000 Anti-Bullying Scholarship. The award was presented at a special worship service at the church on July 14. The committee chose Devon for her demonstrated efforts to provide peer support, teach and advocate for improved school climate and safety for the LGBT community.